Space to Grow: Michigan Backyards Among Nation’s Most Affordable

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Article courtesy of New Jersey Real Estate Network

• Analysis of property listings reveals the average cost of a backyard
• California sees a square foot of yard space over 215% more expensive than average
• Alaska sees the cheapest average yard price, at just $2.15 a square foot

With house prices still on the rise, a new study has revealed the average price of property yards throughout all 50 states.

The study, by real estate experts New Jersey Real Estate Network analyzed Zillow property listings to find out the average cost of a square foot of yard space, with some surprising results.

Michigan ranks #38 nationally with an average yard price of $14.65 per square foot – a significant 42% below the national average of $25.44. This makes Michigan one of the more affordable states for outdoor space, with yards costing nearly six times less than California’s $80.32 per square foot. For Michigan homebuyers, this means more accessible outdoor living compared to coastal markets, offering substantial yard space without the premium price tag seen in states like New York, Washington, or Massachusetts.

In first place is California, where the cost per square foot of yard space is an eye-watering $80.32 – over 215% more expensive than the national average of $25.44 per square foot. California also had the second-highest average home price of any state at $823,422, second only to Hawaii with an average house price of $865,853.

The second spot on the list goes to Hawaii, seeing an average yard price of $77.13 per square foot. Yard prices in Hawaii are 203% higher than the national average, with Hawaii also seeing the most expensive average house price of any state, coming in at $865,853. Hawaii also had the smallest average home size of any state, coming in at just 1,164 square feet.

In third place is New York, where a square foot of yard space would set you back $53.74 on average – a price 111% higher than the national average of $25.44 per square foot. New York also sees the second-smallest average home size of any state at just 1,490 square feet on average – only just second to Hawaii, with an average home size of 1,164 square feet.

Close behind in fourth place is Washington, seeing an average price of $52.42 per square foot. Washington sees some of the most expensive home prices nationwide, with an average price of $733,570 – third only to Hawaii ($865,853) and California ($823,422). The average price per square foot of yard space in Washington was seen to be 106% higher than the national average price of $25.44.

Massachusetts takes the fifth spot on the list, seeing an average price of $48.53 per square foot of yard space – 90.74% higher than the national average. Massachusetts also sees the fifth-highest average home prices nationally, with the average home being priced at $717,786.

The remainder of the top ten features Maryland in at sixth place, where a square foot of yard space costs, on average, $48.33. Interestingly, Maryland was found to have the smallest yards of any state on average, with a yard being just 7,599 square feet.

Oregon ranks in at seventh, with an average price of $42.34 per square foot. In eighth place is New Jersey, where a square foot of yard space costs $42.01 on average. Ninth place goes to Colorado, where a square foot of yard space would set you back $38.77 on average. Finally, rounding out the list in tenth place is Florida, seeing a price of $38.70 per square foot on average.

Interestingly, across all 50 states, the average price per square foot of yard space was found to be $25.44 on average. Alaska ranked in as the cheapest state, seeing a price of just $2.15 per square foot – 91.55% cheaper than the national average.

Alaska was also found to have by far the biggest average yard size of any state, seeing the average yard being 200,380 square feet – followed by Maine (71,463 square feet) and Vermont (69,281 square feet).

A spokesperson from New Jersey Real Estate Network commented on the findings, saying:

“The study reveals noteworthy variations in yard prices across states, showcasing a diverse landscape in the real estate market. These findings shed light on the various aspects of properties throughout the nation and emphasize the dynamic nature of residential spaces in different regions.”

Source:

Zillow

Methodology:

Zillow listings were analyzed for every US state, with the average property sizes being subtracted from the average yard size. Prices for the average cost per square foot of yard size were then calculated, ranking states based on the average cost.

Below is a table of extended results: